Some of those dishes are displayed in menus, but you will not find them everywhere and you will have to search for them. To make searching for them easier, we tell you their Portuguese names, and give you a brief description about each dish.
So, get brave and start experiencing REAL Algarvian cuisine by selecting any of the following dishes:
Carapaus alimados ou cavalas alimadas
Mackerel that can be served as a snack or as a main dish. You will find this dish in many of the Portuguese eating places in the Lagos and Portimão regions. It is accompanied by boiled potatoes and a salad or cooked vegetables. Fresh and simple, it is an ideal snack on a hot summer day, but it is also, a dish that it is very easy to prepare at home. You can also keep the leftovers from one day to the next, as it does not spoil easily.
Xerém or XarémA finalist in the Seven Wonders of Portuguese gastronomy, this dish is made with corn starch (xarém) and with cockles. If you coming to the Algarve, then this is one dish that you must not miss.
Canja de conquilhas
Cockle Soup is a traditional dish from the Western Algarve. This is also a very easy recipe to do in the comfort of your own home, and a dish that will certanly impress your guests.
Choquinhos com tinta à algarvia
This is an old time favourite with the Portuguese, and you can find it in many traditional Portuguese restaurants. For this dish, you need the slighly larger cuttlefish, which are also grilled or fried in olive oil and garlic. It is a real tastebud marvel.
Favas com peixe frito à algarvia
Broad beans with fried fish, it may seem strange to you to mix, beans and fish, but this is a really delicious dish, with a surprising combination of flavors. Unforgettable.
Moreia frita
This is more of a snack than a meal in itself. In some places in the Algarve you can see moray eels hanging to dry outdoor. Pop into one of those establshments and ask for a "Moreia Sandwich" or simply, a plate of fried strips of moreia eel. A delicious recipe which can also be easily prepared at home.
Cozido de grão
This is a dish of boiled chick peas. It is cooked with onions, garlic and olive oil with a Bay leaf for extra flavour..
Batata doce de Aljezur
Aljezur is well known for its sweet potatoes. Every year they have a sweet potatoe festival, where you can experience many and varied sweet potatoe recipes. But this one, is one of the oldest traditions - as a component in an octopus dish with tomato sauce. You can also enjoy sweet potatoes with wild boar, or even in sweet potatoe cakes and desserts.
Estupeta de atumThis ancient dish is a favourite in the Eastern Algarve, particularly between Tavira and Villa Real St. Anthony, the estupeta, is made with tuna, and is almost unknown in the rest of the country.
Galinha de Cabidela
This chicken dish stands out for a good reason – one of its main ingredients is chicken blood! Normally served with rice, the Algarve version comes with potatoes. Very tasty, and don't be put out by its ingredients.
Ervilhas com ovos
An interesting dish that can be eaten as a side-dish or as a main meal. The eggs are poached on top of a pea stew in the final stages of cooking.
And here is something for the sweet tooth:Folar
Odd-looking "cakes" with hard-boiled eggs--complete with shells--embedded into the cake.
Morgados
Iced balls filled with sugared egg yolks.
Queijo de figo
A paste made of figs, ground almonds and chocolate.
Filhós
Deep-fried sugared pastries.
Dom Rodrigos
Egg and almond sweet.
I have now given you some real Algarvian food for though. So, go out there and experience it.